False muntin assembly

ABSTRACT

A false muntin assembly for a window having a sash, a windowpane defining at least one light, and a glazing bead for the windowpane, which divides the windowpane into at least two lights and comprises a rigid aluminum base member overlaying the windowpane, a semi-rigid vinyl cover having the appearance of a muntin, and snap fit locking means engaging the vinyl cover onto the aluminum base. Openings formed in the glazing bead and a lip formed on the sash firmly lock the false muntin onto the windowpane without need of any additional clips or fasteners. In one embodiment, a pair of false muntins divide the window into four lights; in a second embodiment, a true muntin divides the window into two lights and the false muntin further subdivides the window into four lights.

United States Patent Hicks 1 July 25,1972

1541 FALSE MUNTIN ASSEMBLY [72] Inventor: Glen Elton Hicks, Statesboro, Ga.

[73] Assignee: Rusco Industries, Incorporated, Los Angeles, Calif.

[22] Filed: 0ct.8, 1970 21 Appl.No.: 79,176

[51] Int. Cl. ..E06b 3/30, E06b 3/02 {58] Field of Search ..52/498, 499,501,502, 456,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,983,002 5/1961 McEvoy ..52/502 3,108,336 10/1963 Tate 3,574,985 4/1971 Pierce ..52/463 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,157,253 12/1957 France ..52/502 Primary Examiner-John E. Murtagh Attorney-Strauch, Nolan, Neale, Nies & Kurz [5 7] ABSTRACT A false muntin assembly for a window having a sash, a windowpane defining at least one light, and a glazing bead for the windowpane, which divides the windowpane into at least two lights and comprises a rigid aluminum base member overlaying the windowpane, a semi-rigid vinyl cover having the appearance of a muntin, and snap fit locking means engaging the vinyl cover onto the aluminum base. Openings formed in the glazing bead and a lip formed on the sash firmly lock the false muntin onto the windowpane without need of any additional clips or fasteners. In one embodiment, a pair of false muntins,

divide the window into four lights; in a second embodiment, a true muntin divides the window into two lights and the false muntin further subdivides the window into four lights.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Patented July 25, 1972 3,678,651

3 SheetsSheet 1 Patented July 25, 1972 3,678,651

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 6ZW f. HICKS ATTO Y5 Patented July 25, 1972 3,678,651

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR GAE/V E HICKS FALSE MUNTIN ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A true muntin assembly for subdividing a window into multiple lights to conform the window to colonial and similar architectural styles is a costly procedure. Therefore, false muntin assemblies, which are considerably less expensive but provide the required aesthetic appearance of a window having multiple lights, have become increasingly popular. False muntin assemblies are not completely new. Present assemblies include metal, wood or plastic strips laid across a single windowpane in grid fashion and secured in place by a notched fitting in the sash or by clips inserted under the window glazing head to secure the false muntin strips.

Muntins may be applied interiorly or exteriorly on the window depending on which side of the window is glazed. In any event, current false muntins are easily intentionally or accidentally removable or may be misaligned in handling thus seriously hampering the aesthetic quality of the window. Such muntins being formed of a single piece cannot match the appearance and texture of both the usual aluminum sash and plastic glazing window head.

The instant invention overcomes these several prior art disadvantages by providing a false muntin assembly with a rigid, extruded aluminum base member overlying the windowpane, a semi-rigid vinyl cover having the external appearance of a muntin, an elongated anchor stem on the base member and cooperating locking ribs formed interiorly of the cover to snap-fit the cover onto the base member, and a lip formed about the sash cooperating with openings formed in the window glazing bead to firmly secure the false muntin against the windowpane. Thus special locking nothes or clips become unnecessary, yet the false muntin will not become dislodged or misaligned through accidental abuse or mishandling, and will retain its desired configuration while in storage, during installation, and for a long time thereafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention comprises a false muntin assembly for dividing a window having a single light into multiple lights and in cludes a rigid aluminum base with a vinyl cover snap-fit thereon, the false muntin then being firmly positioned against the windowpane by insertion into openings formed in the window glazing beam, whereby the ends of the base fit beneath a projecting lip formed about the interior periphery of the window sash frame. In another embodiment, the basic window may include a true muntin dividing the window into halves with additional false muntin assemblies hereinbefore described installed between the true muntin and the window sash to form additional multiple lights in the window.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide a false muntin assembly which is securely installed without need of special clips, fasteners or other locking assemblies.

It is another object of the invention to provide a muntin as sembly of aesthetic quality which will match the one or more types of material to which it is applied.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a false muntin assembly having performed and measured components thus eliminating the need for additional measure ment, spacing and cutting during installation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a false muntin assembly which may be installed at the factory producing windows or may be packaged in kit form for installation on already hung windows.

Finally, it is an object of the invention to provide a false muntin assembly which may be installed on a wide variety of windows including single or double-hung, awning type, sliding, or any of the wide variety of window units where the aesthetic characteristics of the instant invention are desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS Further and more complete objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent by reference to the following specification, claims, and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of one: embodiment of the invention installed in a window frame;

FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 are partial sectional views, drawn to an enlarged scale, and taken along lines 2-2, 3-3, and 44 of FIG. 1, respectively; and

FIGS. 5 and 6 are exploded views in perspective showing two embodiments of the instant invention, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings by reference character, FIGS. 1 through 5 illustrate one embodiment of the invention which is installed on a window 10 having a sash frame 12, window panes 14 and 16, and glazing bead 18 for retaining panes l4 and 16 in the sash 12. Here, window 10 includes one true muntin 20 which divides the window into two lights or panes l4 and 16. Muntin 20 includes a base or sash portion 22, a central elongated headed stem 24 projected through and separating panes l4 and 16, and a rib 26 formed along the terminal edge of stem 24 which defines a head providing a pair of undercut locking lips 28, 28 for retaining additional glazing head 18 against panes l4 and 16. The window 10 described is the most common type found among single hung windows not of the colonial type. Usually, the sash is made of extruded alu minum, as is muntin 20, and the glazing bead I8 is made of semi-rigid material such as stiff vinyl. Glazing bead 18 is pressfit against glass window panes l4 and 16 and includes longitudinal undercut grooves 30 formed in the outer edge thereof. Lips 28, 28 of the rib 26 of true muntin 20 and a peripheral lip 32 formed about the interior edge of sash l2 cooperate with glazing bead 18 (FIGS. 2 and 4) to support glazing bead 18 through for a secure snap fit. As thus far defined, the window 10 of this embodiment of the invention. is a conventional, double glazed window, meaning that a pair of windowpanes l4, 16 are provided, each supported and retained by a glazing head support structure including one side of muntin 20, one horizontal window sash frame portion 12, and two opposed halves of vertical window sash frame portions 12.

The false muntin assembly comprises a rigid, extruded aluminum base member 34 having an elongate anchor stem 36 which is arrow shaped in cross-section (FIG. 3) and a semirigid semi-circular vinyl cover 38 which has the external appearance of a true muntin. Cover 38 has a pair of interiorally formed locking ribs 40, 40 which cooperate with anchor means in the form of an anchor stem 36 in securing the cover 38 to its base member 34 by spreading as cover 38 is depressed onto stem 36 and then snap-fitting onto stem 36 as indicated in FIG. 3. It should be noted here that the false mun tin cover 38 and the true muntin 20 with glazing bead 18 have almost precisely the same appearance, namely, arcuate depen dent skirts along the opposite longitudinal edges of an elongated flat. Furthermore, the vinyl cover 38 is of the same material as glazing bead 18 on one side of window 10, while base 34 of the false muntin is of aluminum to match the aluminum of sash 12 when window 10 is viewed from the other side. For further aesthetic enhancement, rib or flat 26 of true muntin 20 may be painted or coated to match flat 39 of vinyl cover 38.,If desired, flat 39 might be coated to match the surface of rib 26, in the alternative.

The arrangement for firmly securing the false muntin assembly into place is best illustrated by FIGS. 5 and 1. False muntin bases 34 are placed on panes 1-4 and 16 in an approximate final position. Base 34 and anchor stem 36 are sufficiently long to engage the distal ends under lips 28, 28 of muntin 20 and peripheral lips 32 on sash frame 12 so that lateral movement of the false muntin away from window 10 is effectively prevented. Covers 38, 38 are then snap fit into place. Muntin glazing beads 18, I8, 18, 18 (FIG. 5) are then press fit onto muntin 20. The ends of these beads abutting covers 38, 38 are arcuately cut at 42 to neatly match the convex surface of covers 38 38. Thereafter, the remaining sections of glazing bead 18 are press fit into place (FIG. 1). It should be noted that covers 38, 38 are cut at right angles to their length so as to be secured firmly in place by the abutting curved arcuate edges 42 of glazing bead 18, which in effect define an opening in the glazing bead for securing the false muntin in place. Similarily, the outer ends of muntin 20 glazing bead 18 are square cut, to be retained by glazing bead 18 on sash 12 (FIG. 1).

Since covers 38, 38 are both secured by glazing bead 18 to sash l2 and muntin 20 and are snap fit onto anchor stems 36, 36 of the false muntin bases 34,34 it is not absolutely essential that bases 34, 34 and stems 36, 36 be of a length to be retained by muntin lips 28 and sash lip 32 since the glazing bead 18 will maintain integrity of the structure by itself. However, this feature does provide additional structural integrity for the false muntin assembly and, in combination with glazing bead l8, prevents movement of the assembly in any direction once installed.

A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6 wherein a single windowpane 44 is subdivided into four lights by a false muntin assembly 46, including base pieces 48 and 50, and covers 52, S2, 52 and 52. In this case, there is no true muntin. Rather, the entire single window 44 is subdivided by false muntin strips. Base 48 is notched at 54 and base 50 is semi-bifurcated at 56 so that bases 48 and 50 may be placed one over the other, at right angles to each other, on pane 44. Thereafter, the four covers 52 are snap fit in place, similarly to covers 38 previously described. Finally, glazing bead 18 (not shown) is installed. Covers 52 are cut at right angles at their outer ends to fit within openings formed by glan'ng bead 18 on sash 12, as discussed in the first embodiment, but are arcuately cut at their inner, adjacent ends to coplanary fit, one against the other, when snap-fit onto base pieces 48 and 50. In other words, this embodiment calls for application of a false muntin assembly to a single glazed window rather than double glazed, as set forth in the first embodiment.

The embodiments shown and described illustrate two systems for converting non-colonial style windows into colonial types with a false muntin assembly, or means for dividing windows have two lights or a single light into four lights. in most cases, the invention will be used with single-hung or double-hung windows, although its use with awning-type or sliding windows is perfectly proper. Additionally, a single or double pane window might be broken down into more than four lights (e.g., six or eight) by a grid pattern false muntin assembly formed from the basic components hereinbefore shown and described.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the

scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent l. in a window having at least one windowpane, framing including a glazing head support structure, and a glazing bead for retaining the windowpane in the glazing bead support structure, a false muntin assembly for dividing the windowpane into at least two lights, comprising:

a. an elongated rigid base member overlying the windowpane and having longitudinally continuous anchor means projecting therefrom with its distal ends abutting the glazing bead support structure;

b. preformed semi-rigid cover means overlying said base member including means thereon cooperating with said anchor means for retaining the cover on the base member; and

c. means comprising respective portions of said glazing bead interengaging the glazing bead support structure and portions of said cover means to maintain the false muntin assembly in a static mode.

2. The false muntin of claim 1 wherein said rigid base member comprises:

a. a base section disposed in overlying abutting relationship with the windowpane; and

b. projecting stern means forming said anchor means.

3. The false muntin of claim 1 wherein said semi-rigid cover includes respective arcuate dependent skins and an elongated flat, formed centrally therealong, whereby said cover forms a muntin strip configuration in external appearance.

4. The false muntin of claim 1 wherein said means interengaging the glazing bead support structure and false muntin assembly in a static mode comprise means defining opposed end openings in said glazing bead, overlying the opposite ends of the semi-rigid cover.

5. The false muntin of claim 4 wherein said glazing bead support structure comprises lip means overhangingly engaging the anchor means of said false muntin assembly base member.

6. The false muntin of claim 1 wherein said false muntin assembly further comprises a second rigid base member arranged at right angles to and overlaying said rigid base member medially thereof to divide said windowpane into at least four lights, said rigid base members being matingly notched to interfit medially and respective preformed semirigid cover means anchored to said second rigid base member at opposite sides of said base member in end bearing interengagement with the cover means of said first false muntin assembly.

7. The false muntin of claim 1 wherein said glazing bead support structure includes a true muntin assembly and related portions of a window sash frame, and said true muntin assembly comprises:

a. a muntin dividing the windowpane into approximate halves; and

b. glazing bead means locking the windowpane halves against the muntin;

said false muntin being arranged at right angles to the approximate center of the muntin to form a window having the appearance of at least four lights.

8. The false muntin of claim 7 wherein said false muntin assembly elongated base member and preformed semi-rigid cover means are divided into two distinct sections, one to either side of said muntin, said means firmly interengaging the glazing bead support structure and false muntin assembly in a static mode comprising means defining opposed end openings in said glazing bead means, overlying opposite ends of said preformed semi-rigid cover means.

9. The false muntin of claim 8 wherein said means firmly interengaging the glazing bead support structure and false muntin assembly in a static mode further comprise:

a. locking lip means formed on said true muntin, overhangingly engaging the anchor means of said false muntin assembly base member sections; and

b. additional lip means formed on said window-sash frame, overhangingly engaging the anchor means of said false muntin assembly base member.

i I I IF 

1. In a window having at least one windowpane, framing including a glazing bead support structure, and a glazing bead for retaining the windowpane in the glazing bead support structure, a false muntin assembly for dividing the windowpane into at least two lights, comprising: a. an elongated rigid base member overlying the windowpane and having longitudinally continuous anchor means projecting therefrom with its distal ends abutting the glazing bead support structure; b. preformed semi-rigid cover means overlying said base member including means thereon cooperating with said anchor means for retaining the cover on the base member; and c. means comprising respective portions of said glazing bead interengaging the glazing bead support structure and portions of said cover means to maintain the false muntin assembly in a static mode.
 2. The false muntin of claim 1 wherein said rigid base member comprises: a. a base section disposed in overlying abutting relationship with the windowpane; and b. projecting stem means forming said anchor means.
 3. The false muntin of claim 1 wherein said semi-rigid cover includes respective arcuate dependent skirts and an elongated flat, formed centrally therealong, whereby said cover forms a muntin strip configuration in external appearance.
 4. The false muntin of claim 1 wherein said means interengaging the glazing bead support structure and false muntin assembly in a static mode comprise means defining opposed end openings in said glazing bead, overlying the opposite ends of the semi-rigid cover.
 5. The false muntin of claim 4 wherein said glazing bead support structure comprises lip means overhangingly engaging the anchor means of said false muntin assembly base member.
 6. The false muntin of claim 1 wherein said false muntin assembly further comprises a second rigid base member arranged at right angles to and overlaying said rigid base member medially thereof to divide said windowpane into at least four lights, said rigid base members being matingly notched to interfit medially and respective preformed semi-rigid cover means anchored to said second rigid base member at opposite sides of said base member in end bearing interengagement with the cover means of said first false muntin assembly.
 7. The false muntin of claim 1 wherein said glazing bead support structure includes a true muntin assembly and related portions of a window sash frame, and said true muntin assembly comprises: a. a muntin dividing the windowpane into approximate halves; and b. glazing bead means locking the windowpane halves against the muntin; said false muntin being arranged at right angles to the approximate center of the muntin to form a window having the appearance of at least four lights.
 8. The false muntin of claim 7 wherein said false muntin assembly elongated base member and preformed semi-rigid cover means are divided into two distinct sections, one to either side of said muntin, said means firmly interengaging the glazing bead support structure and false muntin assembly in a static mode comprising means defining opposed end openings in said glazing bead means, overlying opposite ends of said preformed semi-rigid cover means.
 9. The false muntin of claim 8 wherein said means firmly interengaging the glazing bead support structure and false muntin assembly in a static mode further comprIse: a. locking lip means formed on said true muntin, overhangingly engaging the anchor means of said false muntin assembly base member sections; and b. additional lip means formed on said window-sash frame, overhangingly engaging the anchor means of said false muntin assembly base member. 